Proverbs 16:19 Commentary and Bible Study

There is an alternative to seeking great things for ourselves, but no one can choose this alternative without a work of grace in his heart. By this work of the Spirit we are taught to pass up earthly treasures in exchange for something far more certain and more abiding: treasure in heaven, reserved for us by the power of God. Interestingly, the proverb links together a humble spirit and a readiness to let go of the treasures of this world, at least it does so, when those treasures are obtained by pride, which is so often the case. The two things so often go together because one of the great motivations for seeking riches in this world is pride. The proud man thinks that he deserves such things because he deserves to be elevated above his fellow man in terms of status and this world's goods. This is the really important thing to him that distinguishes him from lesser men and women. This is what man admires, and this is what he therefore craves for himself. But the humble man is ready to let go of such worthless things. He knows that the treasures of this world will not last, and all that is gained by wickedness will be taken away in judgment at the end of life by the Lord. He trusts God to give him something much more enduring as a permanent eternal blessing, and he is ready to let the praise of men pass him by. He sets little value on that praise because it is based on a flawed assessment of human beings, elevating all the standards that God says are worthless, and ignoring all those characteristics that God regards as most valuable.The proverb is not teaching that there is any merit in poverty, or that the kingdom of heaven is composed of all those, or even mostly those, who are poor in terms of this world’s good. The poor have their own set of temptations and sins which are just as effective at keeping them out of heaven as the sins of the rich. But it is better to be identified with the poor, says Solomon, if that be the price we must pay for maintaining a humble spirit. Humility is worth far more than riches, for humility changes us far more profoundly than riches. Humility is beautiful in the sight of God, because the humble person is grateful for what he has been given; he does not lie to himself about what he is; he does not imagine vainly that he has powers that he does not have; he does not diminish the greatness of God in order to boost himself falsely.The path that we take through life will be made smooth for us by a humble spirit, for God will oppose every step of the proud spirit.